In statements to the press on Monday, October 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forcefully dismissed requests for a cease-fire in Gaza.
As the death toll in besieged Gaza continues to rise, the international community has urged Israel to commit to a ceasefire.
This week, Israeli soldiers entered the second stage of their battle with Hamas, significantly increasing ground operations within Gaza. Military sources have warned that the war will be arduous and long.
However, on Monday, Netanyahu equated the October 7 Hamas slaughter to the Pearl Harbor and September 11 assaults on the United States, claiming that Israel is equally justified in retaliating against Hamas terrorists in Gaza. He went on to add that Israel will keep fighting Hamas “until victory.”
“Calls for a cease-fire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas, to terrorism, and to barbarism.” That is not going to happen,” Netanyahu stated.
“Ladies and gentlemen, according to the Bible, there is a time for peace and a time for war.” Now is the time for conflict. “A war for our shared future,” he went on. “Today, we draw a line between civilizational forces and barbaric forces.” It is time for everyone to declare their position. Israel will fight barbaric forces until victory is achieved. I hope and pray that civilized nations around the world will join us in this fight.”
Netanyahu was also quoted as saying that the “horrors that Hamas perpetrated on Oct. 7 remind us that we will not realize the promise of a better future unless we, the civilized world, are willing to fight the barbarians.”
“Because the barbarians want to fight us.” And their purpose is clear: “shatter that bright future, destroy everything we hold dear, and usher in a world of fear and darkness,” he added.
As of press time, up to 9,400 individuals had been killed on both sides of the conflict, including at least 1,400 Israeli citizens and soldiers and 33 Americans.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, over 8,000 Palestinians have been murdered in Gaza and 110 in the West Bank.
